A blog about weather, climate, and science. Occasionally, we'll post on other topics of interest.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Sen. Paul was not "Irate"

The Nashville Airport has released video of Sen. Paul's incident with the TSA. There is absolutely no indicate he was "irate" as the TSA reported.

Sen. Rand Paul (sitting) and speaking on the phone.

There is also no question he is being "detailed" (the TSA says he was not detained). The end of the video clearly shows him being taken out of the airport's "secure" area.

So, in my mind and in the minds of a number of legal experts who have opined on the subject, the TSA is in clear violation of the U.S. Constitution regarding travel by U.S. Senators and Representatives.

Many, including family members, have asked why I blog about this subject. It is because (perhaps because I fly so often), I'm watching our rights and the rule of law evaporate right before our eyes. I'm shocked the White House has defended the TSA's treatment of Sen. Paul.

NYC's Archbishop Timothy Dolan wrote on a completely different topic yesterday:

This latest erosion of our first freedom should make all Americans pause. When the government tampers with a freedom so fundamental to the life of our nation, one shudders to think what lies ahead.

Go back to ten years ago: Did you ever think you'd have to appear nude, take off your shoes, etc., etc. to get on an airplane? Did you think your car or bus would be searched by the TSA without probably cause?

The history of our world is that rights, once given up, are not easily regained.

3 comments:

@10:46am. Fascinating that you see this issue as "right-wing." Here is the Huffington Post's coverage: www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-orvetti/rand-paul-tsa_b_1224173.html Their coverage, which ends with a call to reform the TSA, is what I have been calling for.

You think Archbishop Dolan is a CONSERVATIVE?

I always thought our basic civil rights was neither a liberal nor conservative issue, but I guess liberals like you are OK with our rights being taken away. I'm not.

I'm a liberal and I hate the erosion of our 1st and 4th amendment rights. The actions of this agency are horrifying.

Ask my 87 yr old Mom who was told she HAD to get out of her wheelchair to go through the metal detector. She can't walk without assistance and I told them she had to be searched in her chair. She was mortified that she might fall.

I have a perspective that differs from some people, I worked for this agency as a screener, an office assistant and saw dysfunction from the inside.